Matthew 9
9
Forgiveness and Healing
1Jesus got into the boat and returned to what was considered his hometown, Capernaum. # 9:1 Jesus had moved from Nazareth to Capernaum, a village of about 1200–1500 people. See Matt. 4:13; Mark 2:1. 2Just then some people brought a paraplegic man to him, lying on a sleeping mat. When Jesus perceived the strong faith within their hearts, he said to the paralyzed man, “My son, be encouraged, for your sins have been forgiven.” # 9:2 The Hebrew Matthew reads, “By the faith of the Mighty One your sins are forgiven.” See also Ps. 103:3.
3These words prompted some of the religious scholars to think, “Why, that’s nothing but blasphemy!”
4Jesus supernaturally perceived their thoughts, and said to them, “Why do you carry such evil in your hearts? 5Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Stand up and walk!’? # 9:5 It is easy for anyone to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” for that cannot be proven. But if someone were to tell a paralyzed man to stand up, and he didn’t stand up, that would prove the person is a fraud. Jesus didn’t do the “easy thing” without accomplishing the hard thing, the miracle of healing. Forgiveness and healing both flow from Jesus Christ. 6But now, to convince you that the Son of Man has been given authority to forgive sins, I say to this man, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk home.’ ” 7Immediately the man sprang to his feet and left for home.
8When the crowds witnessed this miracle, they were awestruck. # 9:8 The Aramaic word used here can mean either “awestruck/marveled,” or “seized with fear.” This may explain the variation within Greek manuscripts. They shouted praises to God because he had given such authority to human beings. # 9:8 See Mark 2:3–12; Luke 5:18–26.
Jesus Calls Matthew to Follow Him
9As Jesus left Capernaum he came upon a tax-collecting station, where a Jewish man named Matthew was collecting taxes for the Romans. # 9:9 Or “sitting at his tax-collecting booth.” Matthew means “gift of God.” He was also known as Levi, which means “joined.” It is possible that he took the name Matthew after becoming a believer.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said to him. Immediately Matthew jumped up and began to follow Jesus.
10Jesus went to Matthew’s house and made himself at home. Many other tax collectors and outcasts of society were invited to eat with Jesus and his disciples.
11When those known as the Pharisees saw what was happening, they were indignant, and they kept asking Jesus’ disciples, “Why would your Master dine with such lowlifes?” # 9:11 Or “tax collectors and sinners.”
12When Jesus overheard this, he spoke up and said, “Healthy people don’t need to see a doctor, but the sick # 9:12 The Hebrew word for “sick” can also mean “evil.” will go for treatment.” 13Then he added, “Now you should go and study the meaning of the verse:
I want you to show mercy, not just offer me a sacrifice. # 9:13 See Hos. 6:6; Matt. 23:23; Mark 12:33. To “offer a sacrifice” would be a metaphor for placing strict obedience to the law over the triumph of mercy’s kiss in our dealings with others. Sadly, many religious people today read this as “I desire religious exactness, not mercy.” Transforming ministry shows unmerited mercy to the “sick.”
For I have come to invite the outcasts of society and sinners, not those who think they are already on the right path.” # 9:13 The obvious implication Jesus is making is that all are sinners who need to come to him for salvation. See 1 Tim. 1:15.
Jesus Brings a New Reality
14The disciples of John the Baptizer approached Jesus with this question: “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast regularly, but not your disciples?”
15Jesus replied, “How can the sons of the bridal chamber # 9:15 See Song. 1:4. These sons of the bridal chamber are “Shulamites,” lovers of God. grieve when the Bridegroom is next to them? But the days of fasting will come when the Bridegroom is taken away from them. 16And who would mend worn-out clothing with new fabric? When the new cloth shrinks it will rip, making the hole worse than before. 17And who would pour fresh, new wine into an old wineskin? Eventually the wine will ferment # 9:17 The teaching of Jesus was the new wine. It was something fresh—a sign that the old was passing away. It could not be mixed with the old religion but involved the inauguration and birth of the kingdom of God. and make the wineskin burst, losing everything—the wine is spilled and the wineskin ruined. Instead, new wine is always poured into a new wineskin so that both are preserved.” # 9:17 The teaching of Jesus is the new wine and the new cloth. What Jesus taught cannot patch up the old religious system, nor can it be contained in a wineskin of worn-out traditions. It is new, exhilarating, and powerful. It must be poured into a heart made new. The new and the old are not meant to be together. Jesus makes all things new. He didn’t come to reform Judaism, but to form a twice-born company of people.
Jesus Heals and Raises the Dead
18While Jesus was still speaking, an influential Jewish leader # 9:18 This was Jairus, who was the leader of the Jewish synagogue and possibly even a member of the Sanhedrin. See Mark 5:21–23; Luke 8:40–42. The interwoven miracles of the daughter being raised from the dead and the woman being healed symbolize Israel and the church. Israel is the “dead daughter” that Jesus will soon raise to new life. On his way to raise her from the dead, he encountered a woman and healed her. The church is the healed woman. The girl, according to Jesus, was only “sleeping.” He will come back to Israel, but on his way, he will heal the woman who touched him by faith. Jesus touched the girl, and the woman touched Jesus. The girl lived twelve years, then died. The woman had been dying twelve years, and then she lived. approached and knelt before him, saying, “Help me! My daughter has just died. Please come and place your hand upon her so that she will live again.” 19So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him.
20Suddenly, a woman came from behind Jesus and touched the tassel of his prayer shawl for healing. # 9:20 Or “for salvation.” The blue tassel on the corner of the prayer shawl was said to symbolize all commandments and promises of God. See Num. 15:38–40. The Hebrew word for “fringe” or “border” (of a garment) can also mean “wing.” Some have interpreted Mal. 4:2 (“healing in his wings”) as a reference to the tassels of the prayer shawl. She had been suffering from continual bleeding for twelve years, but had faith that Jesus could heal her. 21For she kept saying to herself, “If I could only touch his prayer shawl # 9:21 Or “the fringe of his garment.” See Num. 15:38, 39; Deut. 22:12; Matt. 14:36; 23:5. I would be healed.”
22Just then Jesus turned around and looked at her and said, “My daughter, be encouraged. Your faith has healed you.” # 9:22 Or “saved you.” And instantly she was healed!
23When Jesus finally entered the home of the Jewish leader, he saw a noisy crowd of mourners, wailing and playing a funeral dirge on their flutes. 24He told them, “You must leave, for the little girl is not dead; she’s only asleep.” Then everyone began to ridicule him.
25After he made the crowd go outside, he went into the girl’s room and gently took hold of her hand. She immediately stood to her feet! 26And the news of this incredible miracle spread everywhere.
Jesus Opens Blind Eyes
27As Jesus left the house, two blind men began following him, shouting out over and over, “Son of David, # 9:27 This phrase is an obvious messianic term. The blind men are hoping that Jesus is the Messiah who will come and restore sight to the blind. See Isa. 29:18; 35:5–6; 42:7. Other than the wise men at Jesus’ birth, these two blind men were the first to recognize Jesus as King. show us mercy and heal us!” 28And they followed him right into the house where Jesus was staying. # 9:28 This was most likely in Capernaum. So Jesus asked them, “Do you believe that I have the power to restore sight to your eyes?”
They replied, “Yes Lord, we believe!”
29Then Jesus put his hands over their eyes and said, “You will have what your faith expects!” 30And instantly their eyes opened—they could see! Then Jesus warned them sternly, “Make sure that you tell no one what just happened!” 31But unable to contain themselves, they went out and spread the news everywhere!
Jesus Heals the Mute
32While they were leaving, some people brought before Jesus a demonized man who couldn’t speak. 33Jesus cast the demon out of him, and immediately the man began to speak plainly. The crowds marveled in astonishment, saying, “We’ve never seen miracles like this in Israel!” # 9:33 Matt. 8 and 9 give us ten miracles that Jesus performed as signs to prove that he is the Messiah. Five are found in each chapter. In ch. 8 we find the leper healed, the military captain’s son healed, Simon’s mother-in-law healed, the raging storm stilled, and two demon-possessed men set free. In ch. 9 we find the paraplegic man healed, the woman with constant bleeding healed, Jairus’ daughter raised from the dead, two blind men given sight, and the demonized mute man set free and healed. These signs demonstrated Jesus’ authority and power over sickness, storms, Satan, and death. 34But the Pharisees kept saying, “The chief of demons is helping him drive out demons.”
Workers for the Harvest
35Jesus walked throughout the region # 9:35 Or “in all the towns and villages.” with the joyful message of God’s kingdom realm. He taught in their meeting houses, and wherever he went he demonstrated God’s power by healing every kind of disease and illness.
36When he saw the vast crowds of people, Jesus’ heart was deeply moved with compassion, because they seemed weary and helpless, like wandering sheep without a shepherd. 37He turned to his disciples and said, “The harvest is huge and ripe! But there are not enough harvesters to bring it all in. 38As you go, plead with the Owner of the Harvest to thrust out # 9:38 The Greek word ekballo is used many times in the Gospels for driving out or casting out demons. The Lord of the Harvest must cast the laborers out into the harvest fields. many more reapers to harvest his grain!”
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Matthew 9: TPT
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